Miles-Nobles Funeral Home announces the death of Betty J. Maley, 76, who passed away Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at her residence under the care of Spanish Oaks Hospice. She was a native of Appling County. She was a member of Lakeside Baptist Church of Vidalia and retired from Savannah Luggage in Vidalia after over 30 years of service. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Maley.

Survivors include her one daughter, Claudine Carter and Dale McLain of Baxley; one son, Eston and Susan Thornton of Baxley; two half-sisters, Joann Varnadore of Waycross and Joyce Kack of Savannah; a half-brother, George Crunkleton of Waycross; three grandchildren, Shane and Angie Thornton, Shonda and Byron Carter and Spanky and Megan Thornton; six great grandchildren, Brighton and Addalyn Thornton, Karlee and Miles Carter, Cade and Cooper Thornton and Cody Tanner; two great-great grandchildren, Rilee Tanner and Ryver Tanner; a special caregiver, Brenda Blake; several nieces, nephews and other family also survive.

Visitation was held Wednesday, January 29 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Funeral services were held Thursday, January 30 at 2:00 p.m. at the Miles-Nobles Funeral Home Chapel with the Reverend Bobby Brinkley and Reverend Gary Hanks officiating.Interment followed in Lakeview Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Vidalia.

J.E. Roberson, 59, of Baxley died Sunday, January 26, 2014 in St. Joseph’s Hospital in Savannah. Roberson was born September 11, 1954 in Appling County and was the son of the late Hovis Roberson, Jr. and the late Vera Mae Carter Roberson. He was a member of Red Oak Baptist Church where he served as Youth and Children’s Director. Roberson was Assistant Chief for Red Oak Fire Department and was employed by the Appling Board of Education as a School Bus Driver.

Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Helen Lynch Roberson of Baxley; daughter and son in law, Carrie and Matthew Gardner of Baxley; one granddaughter, Mattie Gardner of Baxley; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Diane and J.F. Griffin, Linda and Aubrey Lynch and Jane and Don Aycock, all of Baxley; brother and sister-in-law, Stevie and Annette Roberson of Baxley; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Dale and Lena Lynch of Baxley; nine nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services were held Wednesday, January 29 at 11:00 a.m. from Red Oak Baptist Church with the Rev. Daniel Harris, the Rev. Robbie Gill, the Rev. Ron Ross, and the Rev. Denny Waters officiating.Interment followed in the church cemetery

Musical selections were rendered by Danny Smith, Elaine Edwards and the Rev. Daniel Harris and the congregation.

Arrangements were under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.

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Miles-Nobles Funeral Home announces the services of Edward Sapp, age 68, who passed away Friday, January 31, 2014 at Wayne Memorial Hospital. He was a native of Appling County, living in Forest Park for over 20 years; a member of Ten Mile Creek Baptist Church and a retired traffic engineer with the Forest Park Police Department.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Cheryl S. Sapp.

Surviving is a step-son, Lynn Sizemore of Porte Verde, FL; sister, Betty and her husband Billy Perry of Baxley; two brothers, Billy Sapp and Ray Sapp both of Baxley; nephews, Curtis Sapp and Jamie Sapp; nieces, Tammy Smith and Renea Sapp and several great nieces and nephews also survive.

Visitation was held Sunday, February 2, 2014 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Miles-Nobles Funeral Home.

Funeral services were held Monday, February 3, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at the Ten-Mile Creek Baptist Church with the Reverend Tommy Daniels officiating.

The family requests memorial contributions be made to the Ten Mile Creek Baptist Church, Building Fund or to the Ten Mile Creek Baptist Church, Youth Missions at 3785 Ten Mile Rd. NE, Baxley, GA 31513.

Family and friends may sign the on-line registry at milesnobles.com.

Miles-Nobles Funeral Home handled the services of Mr. Edward Sapp.

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Juna M. Sigurdson of Lake City, FL, departed this life after a long and courageous battle with congestive heart failure peacefully on January 26, 2014.

Mrs. Sigurdson was the daughter of the late Delton L. Moody, Sr. and Alice A. Milton; she was born in Baxley on September 4, 1932. Juna lived and traveled extensively throughout her life; finally settling in Lake City in 2002. She graduated from Baxley High School and was a true believer that you were never too old to learn. She graduated from Clark County Community College in Las Vegas, Nevada with honors in General Studies in 1983; and in 1984 graduated with her second honors degree in Applied Science/Records Management.

Funeral services for Mrs. Sigurdson were conducted on Thursday January 30 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Dees-Parrish Family Funeral Home with the Rev. Mike Norman officiating. Interment followed in the Jacksonville National Cemetery in Jacksonville at 2:00 p.m. The family received friends from 10:00-11:00 a.m. (one hour prior to the services) at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers; the family requests that donations be made to the Lake City Humane Society in Mrs. Sigurdson’s memory: 1392 NW Shelter Glen, Lake City, FL, 32055, (386)-752-3191.

Arrangements were under the direction and care of the Dees-Parrish Family Funeral Home, 458 South Marion Ave., Lake City, FL, 32025. Please sign the guestbook at www.parrishfamilyfuneralhome.com

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Miles-Nobles Funeral Home announces the death of Erris Laurette Slaughter, 51, who passed away Thursday, January 2, 2013 at St. Joseph’s Hospital after a brief illness. She was a lifelong resident of Appling County and a Pentecostal by faith. She was a former para-professional at Altamaha Elementary and a customer service representative with GSI Commerce in Brunswick.

Survivors include her two children, Chrissy Slaughter of Baxley and Ricky Slaughter of Mt. Clemons, MI; a mother and stepfather; Mary and John Blanton of Baxley; one sister, Francine and Henry Youngblood of Surrency; a niece, Rebecca Swanger and fiancé of Skylar Miles; two great nieces, Tristain and Trinity; several stepbrothers, stepsisters, aunts, uncles and cousins also survive.

Visitation was held Sunday, January 5 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Funeral services were held Sunday, January 5 at 3:00 p.m. at the Miles-Nobles Funeral Home Chapel.

Family and friends may sign the online guest book at milesnobles.com.

Miles-Nobles Funeral Home were in charge of the arrangements.

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Moses Yarbrough died Monday, January 20, 2014 at the Hospice of Golden Isles in Brunswick. He was born in Baxley on November 16, 1943 to the parentage of the late George Yarbrough and the late Rosa Yarbrough Brown. Moses attended the Appling County Schools and was employed in the timber industry for many years. He attended the First Assembly Church of God in Baxley under the leadership of Reverend Ronnie Rentz.

In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by a son, James Oliver Yarbrough, a daughter, Terry Yarbrough, sisters, Bobby Carter Vann, Queen Carter and Annie Laura Sharpe, brothers, Curtis Yarbrough, Henry Yarbrough, Curtis McCrae and Willie Yarbrough, a great-grandchild, Jatia Ashe-li’ McCall and a niece, Laura Brown.

Funeral services for Moses Yarbrough were held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 1 at C.M. Brown Funeral Home with Rev. Ronnie Rentz officiating and Ihesia Bryant presiding. Inurnment was in Baxley Cemetery.

Miles-Nobles Funeral Home announces the death of Jimmy Cravey, 69, who passed away Thursday, February 6, 2014 at St. Joseph’s Hospital. He was a lifelong resident of Appling County, a member of Harmony Baptist Church and a retired farmer. Jimmy loved the outdoors and was an avid fisherman. He was preceded in death by his parents, William H. and Charlie Mae Cravey and a brother, Mike H. Cravey.

Survivors include his daughter, Nan and Mark Pedrick of Hinesville; two grandchildren, Brandi and Chase Brannen and Cody Durham, both of Glennville; three great grandchildren, Madelyn and Cruz Brannen and Aubree Durham; two sisters, Helen Waters of Blackshear and JoAnn Causey of Baxley; two brothers, Jack and Bertha Ruth Cravey and John and Linda Cravey, both of Waycross; a special friend, Mary Sue Presley of Baxley; several nieces, nephews and other family also survive.

Visitation was held Saturday, February 8 from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Funeral services were held Sunday, February 9 at 2:30 p.m. at Harmony Baptist Church with the Reverend Sam Holland officiating. Interment followed at Miles Chapel Cemetery.

Swain Funeral Home announces the death and funeral services of Tony Rabon Hand, 48, of Baxley. Hand died Thursday, February 6, 2014 at his residence. Tony was born March 23, 1965 in Appling County and was the son of Thomas Rabon Hand and the late Mary Ellen Hutcheson Taylor. He was a member of Faith Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Melinda Hand; one daughter, Alisha Hand and fiancé, Alvin Joiner; one son and daughter-in-law, Anthony and Amber Hand; father, Rabon Hand; one sister and brother-in-law, Robbie and Keith Davis, all of Baxley; two step brothers, Kip (Rhonda) Davis of Baxley and Terry (Lavay) Davis of Surrency.

Funeral services were held Saturday, February 8 at 3:00 p.m. from the Faith Baptist Church with the Rev. Gary Conger and the Rev. Justin McLellan officiating.Interment followed in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

Willis G. Hester, 82, of Chula, died Wednesday, February 5, 2014 after a short illness at his residence.

Funeral services were held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, February 8 at Tift Avenue Baptist Church with the Rev. Terrell Roberts officiating. Interment followed in Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery. The family received friends from 6:00 until 8:00 Friday evening at Albritton-Beaumont Funeral Directors.

Honorary pallbearers were Polly Parnell, Fredrick Busbin, Fred Hester, Syd Hester, and all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Hester was born October 2, 1931 in Turner County to the late Bill and Mildred Busbin Hester. He graduated from Tift County High School, where he played basketball. He served in the U.S. Marines, serving during the Korean War era. He was a farmer and a cattle/horse rancher who enjoyed training horses and participating in rodeos. Hester was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church and had attended Tift Avenue Baptist Church for the past ten years. He was a jack-of-all-trades who enjoyed woodworking and attending church.

He is survived by his wife, Geneva Wilson Hester of Chula; one son and daughter-in-law, Rocky Allen and Shirley Hester of Bartlesville, OK; two daughters and sons-in-law, Robin and Rocky Mixon and Kimberly and Mark Boyette, all of Baxley; two stepdaughters, Hope Lovein Barbee of Perry and Raven Nicole King of Tifton; 15 grandchildren, Leah and Kyle Hodges, Hannah Hester, Rebecca Hester, Shawn and Lynn Stovall, Stephanie and Lee Evans, Kyle Stovall, Anna Beth Boyette, Sarah Kate Boyette, Greye Lovin, Shelby Rose Barbee, Jonathan King, Ashlee King, Laken King and Lane Sumner as well as nine great-grandchildren.

Miles-Nobles Funeral Home announces the death of Madison Elaine Mincey, the infant daughter of Polly Beecher and David Mincey, Jr. who passed away Sunday, February 2, 2014 at Appling Healthcare. She was preceded in death by her aunt, Kimberly Mincey Kersey.

Survivors include her parents, Polly Beecher and David Mincey, Jr.; grandparents, Janet and Charles Beecher of Baxley and Patrick and Gail Mincey of Baxley; several uncles, cousins and other family also survive.

Graveside funeral services were held Friday, February 7, at 4:00 p.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church with the Reverend Charles Hutcheson officiating.

Gail Murray, 64, of Surrency died Tuesday, February 4, 2014. Gail was born July 4, 1949 in Appling County and was the daughter of the late Chris Alford Bates and the late Willie Mae Crosby Bates. She was a member of the Church of God of Prophecy. Gail was a retired Cosmetologist.

Survivors include her husband, Freddie Murray of Surrency; two sons, Thomas Murray and Chris Murray, both of Surrency; two sisters, Christine Carter of Surrency and Holly Carey of Glenwood; one brother, Burtonlynn “Rusty” Bates of Statesboro; and four grandchildren, Auden, Skylar, Chance and Raigen also survive.

Funeral services were held Thursday, February 6 at 2:00 p.m. from the chapel of Swain Funeral Home with the Rev. Carlton Rowell officiating. Interment followed in Omega Cemetery.

Visitation was held Wednesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Swain Funeral Home.

Musical selections were rendered by the Rev. Carlton and Cathy Rowell.

Arrangements were under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.

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Issue: Wednesday, February 19, 2014

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Richard Fredrick Carter,73, of Baxley, died February 4, 2013 at his residence.He was born September 8, 1940, in Louisville, KY and was the son of the late Bonnie Carter and the late Jane Alice Williams Carter. Richard was retired from Overhead Doors in Kentucky and was preceded in death by his sister, Carol Carter, and his brothers, Greg and Ronnie Carter.

He is survived by his wife, Carol Ann McCullough Carter of Baxley; three daughters, Tracy Carter and Bonnie Carter, both of Louisville, KY and Brenda (Ricky) Holland of Baxley; two sons, Dennis Kiger of Lutz, FL and David Nelson of Baxley; ten grandchildren; and 17 great grandchildren.

Swain Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

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James Tremaine Green (black) was born on December 31, 1981 in Vidalia, to James C. Green and the late Geraldine Bacon. Tremaine passed into eternal rest on Saturday, February 8, 2014 in Toombs County. He became a member of Saint Matthews Baptist Church at an early age. Green was so full of life and never met a stranger. His winning smile and charismatic personality endeared him to many people. Tremaine was known to many as being a “jokester”. He had a gift of making others laugh. Music was his passion. Tremaine spent countless hours writing and perfecting his music. Tremaine received his formal education in the Appling County School System until moving to Jacksonville, FL in 1996. In 2010, Tremaine returned to Georgia where he resided for the remainder of his life. He was employed by Hardee’s Restaurant where he held the position as a cook.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Geraldine Bacon, maternal grandmother, Christine Holland, paternal grandparents, Abb (AJ) Sr. and Clidia Green.

Tremaine is survived by his father, James (Leverdia) Green of Baxley; daughters, Tremyah Green of Lyons and Janasia Law of Jacksonville, FL; five sisters, Kenya Polke of Lyons, Katrice Green of Baxley, Gerlondia Bacon, Venus Smart, all of Lyons, Renesa Lawton of Baxley; two brothers, Jeremiah (Courtney) Bacon of Jacksonville, FL and Jerry Smart of Lyons; devoted friend, Tammy Preston of Lyons; best friend, Shawn Fry of Vidalia and a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 15 from the Greater Saint Matthews Faithful Church, Baxley, with Bishop L.C. Rogers giving the eulogy. Interment followed in Macon Cemetery, U.S. Highway 280, Lyons.

Arrangements were under the directions of Brown Funeral Home in Baxley.

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Swain Funeral Home announces the death and funeral services of Estel Hardy, 64, died Tuesday, February 11, 2014 in Augusta. Estel was born August 10, 1949 in Jeff Davis County to the late Albert Hardy and the late Mamie Johns Hardy. He was a member of Church of God of Prophecy. Hardy was owner of Hardy’s Trucking, Inc. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Albert Hardy, Jr., Johnny Hardy and a sister, Margarette Hardy.

Survivors include his wife, Laverne Butler Hardy of Baxley; daughter, Tammy Price of Jacksonville, Florida; a sister, Ann Hardy of Baxley, two grandchildren, Michael Peters, Matthew Vann and one great grandchild, Alexandrea Peters.

Funeral services were held Friday, February 14 at 2:00 p.m. from the Church of God of Prophecy with Pastor John Hutto and Pastor Lester Weldon officiating and a eulogy by Ezra Varnadore. He lay in state one hour prior to funeral service. Interment followed in Appling Memorial Gardens.

Harrell P. Hudson, 88, died on February 8, 2014. Hudson was born December 19, 1925 in Orlando, Florida. He was baptized on September 4, 1955 as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and attended the Kingdom Hall in Baxley where he served as an Elder. He was very active in the ministry, shepherd the flock and mentored many young men to serve in the congregation as ministerial servants and elders. He was very well respected.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby B. Hudson and son, Randy Hudson.

Memorial service for Mr. Hudson was held on February 15 at the Baxley Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

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Erma Morse of James Island took an eternal flight home Saturday. She was 74. The relatives and friends of Erma Morse were invited to attend her funeral service at 11:00 Friday, February 14, 2014, from the sanctuary of Fort Johnson Baptist Church, 1473 Camp Road on James Island, S.C. A reception and time of celebration immediately followed in the church fellowship hall. At her request, cremation had taken place and burial was in private.

Erma was born in Baxley and grew up in Savannah. She began college at Armstrong State University where she met her husband, Jack. Erma later transferred to UGA and graduated with a degree in Home Economics. She began teaching elementary school in Savannah then moved to Charleston, S.C. when she and Jack married in 1961. She was the first teacher hired at O’Quinn School on James Island, S.C. and finished her teaching career 30 years later by retiring from Sea Island Academy on Johns Island, S.C. Erma was very active in WMU plus other committees and functions at Fort Johnson Baptist Church. She loved to travel and escaped town often with her daughter.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Jack, of James Island; her sister, Lynda Holland Huey of James Island, S.C.; one son, John, and his wife, Kathy, of Culpeper, VA; one daughter, Tali, of Charleston, S.C.; one niece, Jennifer Thompson of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., six grandchildren, two grandnieces, and her beloved pug, Sumter.

Erma was such a lovely lady, simply southern, outgoing, funny, a wonderful cook, and full of spunk and sass; she will be missed terribly by all that knew her and the students whose lives she touched.

The Morse family would like to extend their sincerest heartfelt thanks to Dr. David Ellison and his staff at Charleston Hematology Oncology Associates; the sweet, caring, and lovely ladies of Roper 5th floor cancer unit, Dr. William Wilson and his nurse, Norma, of Mt. Pleasant Family Practice, Dr. Lee Leddy, Dr. Bubba Gilmore, Amedysis Home Health, the Deaton family, Fort Johnson Baptist Church, Hospice of Charleston, as well as caregivers, friends, neighbors, church members, nurses, and techs that we worked with or received help from. It was a long journey and we all fought the good fight - God Bless each and every one of you and thanks so much for your compassion and assistance. Also, a huge thank you goes to the clients of Jack and employers of Tali who made caregiving possible through amended work schedules.

Online condolences may be offered at www.JamesAMcAlister.com. Donations in Erma’s memory may be made to the WMU of Fort Johnson Baptist Church.

Arrangements were by James A. McAlister Funerals and Cremation in Charleston, South Carolina.

Erma’s physical rest will be at Holy Cross on James Island, S.C.

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Issue: Wednesday, February 26, 2014

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Erna “Ann” Paul Beckworth, 82, beloved wife of James M. Beckworth, passed away Friday, February 14, 2014, at home after battling months of medical setbacks. A funeral service to celebrate her life was held at Northeast Presbyterian Church in Columbia on Wednesday, February 19, 2014, at 12:30 p.m. with burial in Fort Jackson National Cemetery at 2:00 p.m. The family received friends before the service from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in the church Grand Hall.

Born in Landau, Germany on November 1, 1931, Ann was the daughter of the late Friedrich and Lina Paul. She grew up in Kaiserslautern, Germany and met her would be husband, Jim (Mack), while he was stationed at Panzer Kaserne. They married on December 31, 1952 in both Mannheim (civil ceremony) and Kaiserslautern (Luthern Church service).

She was a devoted mother and Army wife, who lived her life to serve her husband and children. She endured several deployments of her husband and carried the household without hesitation.

Ann was a Girl Scout Leader in Aschaffenburg, Germany, leading scout troops to London, England for trips. She served as the consummate classroom mother and team mother, making cookies, cupcakes and pre-game meals whenever “volunteered.” Ann substituted at Richland Northeast high school and volunteered in the Foreign Language Department. She never missed a ball game of her son, daughters or granddaughters.

Ann was a member of Northeast Presbyterian Church and the Friendship Sunday School Class. She was an avid bowler, bowling on several leagues, the Ann Pantsari Housewives League, the Friday Scratch League and the Retired Officer’s League. She had the high game for women in South Carolina in 1985 with a 290 game.

Left to cherish her are her husband of 61 years, Major James M. Beckworth, US Army Retired; son, John P. Beckworth (Patsy); daughters, Patty Beckworth Lamont, Cindy B. Cummings (Rocky); and grandchildren; Billy Beckworth, Catherine Lamont, Emma Cummings, and Maria Cummings, who all loved their OMA.

She was predeceased by her parents, Friedrich and Lina Paul, and her son, Michael Friedrich Beckworth. Memorials may be made to Northeast Presbyterian Church (Friendship Sunday School Class), 601 Polo Road, Columbia S.C.29223.

Cliff Beecher, 51, of Baxley, passed away Saturday, February 15, 2014. Beecher was a resident of Appling County and McIntosh County. He loved the outdoors. His greatest love was spending time hunting and fishing with his family and friends. He was a loving father, son, brother, uncle, and everyone’s best friend. Cliff spent much of his time on his Kubota “buggy.” His love for life and people will always be remembered.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Brice Beecher and Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Lamb.

A memorial service was held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, February 22 in the chapel of Brunswick Memorial Park Funeral Home with Pastor Kirk Brown officiating. The family received friends one hour prior to the service.

Brunswick Memorial Park Funeral Home served the family of Cliff Beecher.

Al Dona Marie Branch, 61, passed away on Sunday, February 16, 2014, in Jacksonville, after a brief illness. She was born in California on August 26, 1952 to Carl William Gough and Frances Dennis Gough and was raised in the Baptist Faith.

She graduated from Chamberlain High School (1970) in Tampa where she was a majorette. After her marriage to her loving husband, Jim in 1971, she moved to Jacksonville. She had been a Girl Scout leader for over 35 years with troop 1282. Al Dona loved taking care of her roses, enjoyed reading, researching her family’s genealogy and working at her computer. Some of her favorite times were spent photographing her grandchildren and family members.

Survivors include her devoted husband of 43 years, James B. “Jim” Branch; daughters, Jennifer M. Atchison and Justina Branch; two brothers, Forrest Gough and Carl Gough; three grandchildren, Alyssa, Ainsley and Amanda Atchison; and several nieces, nephews and wonderful friends. Her family received friends from 6:00- 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 19 Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home.

Funeral services for Al Dona were held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday in The Chapel of Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home with Pastor Justin Mak, New Journey Church officiating. Interment was held on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. in Garden of Memories Cemetery, 4207 East Lake Ave. Tampa, FL. 33610.

Corey-Kerlin Funeral Homes and Crematory in Jacksonville, FL was in charge of the arrangements. www.corey-kerlin.com

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Frederick Henry Callahan, 72, of Baxley, died Thursday, February 20, 2014, at Meadows Regional Medical Center in Vidalia. Callahan was born March 2, 1941 in Lee County to the late William Lynnwood Callahan and the late Hazel Holt Callahan. He had lived in Appling County for the past 14 years and was a retired cattleman.

Survivors include his daughter, Dawn Callahan of Baxley; two sons, John Callahan of Social Circle and Hank Callahan of Hazlehurst; brothers, Bill Callahan of Lafayette, AL and Emmett Callahan of Carnsville; one sister, Dianne Batman of Madison FL.; eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, February 23 at Oakland Baptist Church with the Rev. Royce Hulett officiating.

Wainright-Parlor Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.

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Miles Funeral Home in Hazlehurst announces the funeral service for Nathan Brian Deaton, 62, of Hazlehurst, who passed away Thursday, February 13, 2014. Services were held at Miles Funeral Home of Hazlehurst at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 16. The Rev. David Griffin, Rev. Brad Waters, David Pittman, Carlos Graham, Luman Earle and Keith Morris officiated with burial following in Graham United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Deaton was born in Appling County. He was the son of Mary Webster Miller and the late Charles Felton Hamm. Deaton received his Juris Doctorate degree from Woodrow Wilson School of Law in Atlanta and his undergraduate degree from Texas A&M University.

Survivors include his mom and stepdad, Mary and Bob Miller of Greensboro; two daughters and son-in-law, Tracy Conner of Mt. Pleasant, S.C. and Natalie and Darren Hayes of Hazlehurst; grandchildren, Jake Nowell of Columbia, S.C., Ryan Johnson of Gray, Brice Johnson of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., Ashleigh Conner of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., Haylee Hayes and Hamp Hayes, both of Hazlehurst; one great-grandchild; three sisters and brother-in-law, Holly Deaton of Athens, Paula and Phil Church of Savannah and Julie Deaton of Athens; one brother and sister-in-law, Terry and Meg Deaton of St. Simons, and three nieces and two nephews also survive.

Swain Funeral Home announces the death and funeral services of Betty Moya, 58, she died Monday, February 17, 2014 at her residence. Mrs. Moya was born July 23, 1955 in Quantico, Virginia to the late Patrick Henry Hennessee and the late Jewell Sprowes Hennessee. She attended the Church of God of Prophecy. Mrs. Moya was a seamstress.

Survivors include her husband, Rene “Jessie” Moya of Baxley; two daughters, Amy Wan Sanchez and Kathy Ann Moya, both of Baxley; two sisters, Patricia May Fortier of Hinesville and Mary Emily Stone of New York; one brother, John Stephen Hennessee of Hinesville and two grandchildren also survive.

Funeral services were held at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 19 from the chapel of Swain Funeral Home with the Rev. John Hutto officiating. Interment followed in Appling Memorials Gardens.

Miles-Nobles Funeral Home announces the services of Mr. Marvin J. O’Berry, Sr., 82, who passed away Wednesday, February 19, 2014, at Lumber City Nursing and Rehab. He was a native of Appling County; a United States Army Veteran serving in the Korean War in which he earned two bronze stars for the service to his country; a retired machinist with Eastern Airlines and a member of the Lumber City Church of God.

He is survived by his wife, Mary O’Berry of Hazlehurst; four children, Jeanette and husband, Bobby Glenn, of Tifton, Barbara Slowinski of Winder, Marvin James O’Berry, Jr. of Hogansville and David and wife, Lisa O’Berry, of Baxley; fourteen grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; one brother, Wade O’Berry, of Kingsland and other family also survive.

Visitation was held Thursday, February 20 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 21 from Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery with the Reverend Barry Teutsch officiating.Interment followed in Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery with military honors.

Julius Ray Powers, 83, (born March 1, 1930) of Baxley, died early Wednesday morning (Feb. 19, 2014) at Appling HealthCare after a brief illness. He was born in Pierce County where he grew up in the Hacklebarney area. Powers enlisted in the United States Air Force in the early fifties, where he served for six years. He then enlisted in the United States Navy where he retired in 1974 after over twenty years of service. During his time in the United States military, Powers served two tours of duty in Korea and two tours of duty in Vietnam. Upon his retirement from the Navy, he returned to his farm in Appling County. He worked numerous jobs after his retirement in construction and maintenance facilitation and also as a licensed commercial and residential electrician.

Powers loved to fish and watch baseball. He gardened and was involved in ceramic making with his wife. He was a member of the VFW in Baxley. More than anything he loved his grandchildren and the time he was able to spend with them.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dexter Preston Powers and Katherine Blanche Eunice Powers; his wife, Shirley Bagley Powers; four sisters, Betty White, Gwen Timlin, Arlouine Bennett, Sandra Crews, and two brothers, J.P. Powers, and Jackie Powers.

A funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m., Friday in the Miles-Odum Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed in Ben James Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. The family received friends beginning at 1:00 p.m., Friday at the funeral home.

John Henry Thomas died Wednesday, February 19, 2014 in the Wayne County Memorial Hospital. John Henry was born on November 9, 1947 in Glennville to the late Robert Thomas and Doretha Faye. During John Henry and Antoinette’s union they helped to raise four kids together. He loved God and his family and will be missed by all who knew him. John Henry served his God as a deacon and minister.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Antoinette Thomas; brothers, David Thomas and Edward Wallace.

He is survived by his mother, Verdell Thomas of Surrency; three daughters, Belinda Thomas, Shonda Thomas and Tameka (Dexter) Harden and one son, Christopher Thomas, all of Atlanta; four sisters, Beatrice (Jerome) Bell, Sharon (Freddie) King, Teresa (Ronald) Roberts, all of Surrency and Christy Thomas of Fort Lauderdale, FL; five brothers, Edgar (Angela) Thomas, John Elbert (Angela) Thomas, both of Baxley, Donald (Debra) Thomas of Columbus, Leavern (Lottie) Thomas of Surrency and Stacy (Tabatha) Thomas of Odum; aunt, Mildred Wallace of Surrency; fourteen grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Special friends, the Reverend Fleming Thompson, Jr., Joyce Thomas and Mary, all of Atlanta.

Funeral services for John Henry Thomas were held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22 from Surrency Grove Baptist Church in Surrency with the Reverend Daniel Smith officiating. Interment followed in Surrency Grove Community Cemetery.

Miles~Nobles Funeral Home announces the death of Mrs. Amelia Ann Carter, age 81, who passed away Saturday, February 22, 2014 at Appling Healthcare Systems under the care of Southern Care Hospice. She was a native of Charlotte, NC living the past 30 years in Baxley and retired from McDaniel Vending Service in Jesup after 30 years of service.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie Carter; grandson, Travis Carter; sister, Audrey Ash and a brother, Perry Darby.

Surviving are two daughters, Linda Ann Carter of Baxley and Donna Mae Carter of Jacksonville FL; one son, Perry and wife Raedell Carter of Baxley; five grandchildren, Jean Justice, Nicole Carter, Wesley Sheppard, Tracy Carter and Kevin Sheppard; four great-grandchildren, Will, Nicholas, Logan and Cadence and other family also survive.

A private family memorial service honoring the lives of Eddie and Ann Carter will be held at Omega Cemetery.

Family and friends may sign the on-line registry at milesnobles.com.

Miles~Nobles Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Mrs. Amelia Ann Carter.

Mrs. Roberson was born August 30, 1953 in Patterson, Georgia to the late Eston Stephens, Sr. and the late Vera Davis Stephens. She was a retired waitress and of the Pentecostal faith. She also was preceded in death by a daughter, Dana Lanora Roberson.

Funeral arrangements for Sue Ellen Stephens Roberson, age 60, of Baxley are under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.(NOTE: Parents are buried in the Saint Luke Baptist Church Cemetery, Berrien County, Georgia.)